Fossil tetrapod families

A listing of tetrapod families, giving stratigraphic range, geographic distribution,
and broad ecological category. Geographic and ecological categories used in the
analysis of tetrapod families (Benton 1996a, b). Each of the 840 non-singleton
tetrapod families was assigned to one category of each geographic and ecological
attribute. Families were assigned to the most appropriate categories, based on
consideration of all species in the family, and taking account, as far as possible,
of changing body sizes and diets during growth. Singleton families, indicated by an
asterisk*, and extant families that lack a fossil record, indicated by a double
asterisk**, are listed, but not categorised. Families and stratigraphic ranges are
taken from Benton (1993).

Data sets

Let me know if you have any problems in downloading the list, or if you detect any errors
(there are countless hundreds, no doubt. Also, let me know if you use the data, and
particularly if you publish anything using the data. Contact
mike.benton@bristol.ac.uk.